Donald and Melania Trump have both called for ABC to fire them Jimmy Kimmel on Monday last week after a joke in which the late-night comic described the first lady as having a “widow glow”.The remark about the president’s wife was part of a routine on Thursday’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” in which the host pretended to perform a comedy routine at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.That event was cut short two nights later, when a man armed with a gun and a knife tried to enter the hall in Washington where the Trumps and much of the nation’s political leadership had gathered.“People like Kimmel should not have the opportunity to come into our homes every evening to spread hate,” Melania Trump said in a social media post that was later echoed by her husband.There was no immediate comment from ABC.Trump has long been on the receiving end of Kimmel’s routine
Jimmy Kimmel’s ‘expecting widow’ joke
Dressed in a suit and standing behind a podium on Thursday, Kimmel pretended to perform a comedy routine for the WHCA dinner. His speech included fake “cuts” to the Trumps and others, taken from video clips.He pointed out Melania in the “audience,” saying, “Mrs. Trump, you glow like an expectant widow.”During his routine, Kimmel noted that Melania Trump’s birthday was Sunday, “She plans to celebrate the way she always does at home: look out the window and say, what have I done?” he whispered.He also said, “Before we go any further, Melania, this is Donald. Donald, this is Melania. That was Jeffrey Epstein’s impression.”
Jimmy Kimmel has been suspended by ABC
Kimmel has long bashed the president in his comedy, doubling down after a spat with the administration last fall.Kimmel was suspended by ABC and some network affiliates said they would take him off the air after a comment he made about slain conservative leader Charlie Kirk, a move pushed by Trump’s FCC chairman Brendan Carr. ABC and the stations later brought Kimmel back.“I appreciate that so many people are outraged by Kimmel’s despicable call to violence, and normally wouldn’t respond to anything he says, but this is something that goes way, way too far,” the president said on the Truth Social platform.“Jimmy Kimmel should be fired immediately” by ABC and its parent Walt Disney Co., he said.His wife said Kimmel’s “hateful and violent rhetoric” is intended to divide the country.“A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows he will continue to cover up to protect the network,” Melania Trump wrote. “Enough is enough. It’s time for the ABC to take a stand.”
The White House press secretary weighs in
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said it is part of a campaign of rhetoric by Democrats and some media outlets that has “helped legitimize this violence.”“Who said a wife would glow for the possible murder of her beloved husband?” Leavitt said. There was no indication that Kimmel was talking about violence.Cole Tomas Allen, the California man arrested after being accused of trying to run into the correspondents’ dinner on Saturday, has been charged with attempted assassination of the president.
